I hate to admit it, but almost every DIY project I tackle turns into an epic struggle — and I’ve worked as a carpenter and a how-to magazine and book editor for decades. I shudder to think of what novices go through.

Even simple jobs can make you want to scream: changing a bulb only to find that it’s fused to its socket, hanging a picture and losing a hunk of a plaster wall, unclogging a drain and ending up with a soupy mix of drain glop and caustic chemicals — the list goes on. To be honest, I'm surprised when something doesn't go wrong during a job — or at least when I don't have to make multiple trips to the home center for tools or supplies.

Why jobs go wrong
A DIY disaster is when a project takes an inordinate amount of time, effort or money. (Or worse yet, when you get hurt in the process.) My career has been all about helping people avert disasters by pointing out potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. But to some degree, difficulties in DIY projects are pretty much inevitable.

Part of the reason is that most DIYers don't do any one job often enough to get good at it. How many times are you going to reroof a house, install a foundation or even grout tile in a bathroom?

In addition, DIYers frequently underestimate how long projects take. Working on a job for eight hours when you thought it would take three leads to frustration and fatigue, both of which are common causes of mistakes and accidents.

For example...

Just a couple of weeks ago I put in a new kitchen sink, a relatively simple task. I bought a stainless steel model that came with a faucet and strainer because it was a great value, though I knew it was a bit big for the opening in the counter. No matter, I thought, I can make the hole bigger.

I spent most of the next two days overcoming unforeseen challenges involved in this “simple” job. First, one of the shut-off valves under the sink didn’t work, so that meant I had to turn off the water supply to the entire house for the duration of the project. (The best approach would have been to replace the faulty valve, but I was in a hurry.)

Then I couldn’t get the old cast-iron sink out of the countertop. It was cemented in place with caulk that had petrified over the decades, and it weighed nearly as much as I do. After trying everything short of destroying the countertop, I decided to break up the sink and remove it piece by piece. I stopped for earplugs after a few whacks. My wife said it sounded like I was discharging a revolver. “Not yet,” I replied.

Fortunately, this was one time the big-hammer approach worked. But getting the sink out was just the beginning. When I attempted the enlarge the hole, the shoe of my saber saw bumped up against the backsplash and couldn’t cut the radius I needed. I couldn’t find my jab saw, so I ended up drilling a series of closely spaced small-diameter holes on the cut line and knocking out the rest of the opening with a chisel.

That trick impressed my wife, but not for long. She needed the kitchen back so she could cook for a potluck we were supposed to attend that evening. The pressure was on.

I was in such a rush to install the new sink that I made two big mistakes. First, I neglected to thoroughly wash the stainless steel. There is a real stench to a stainless steel sink fresh from the factory. I still get whiffs of it two weeks later. Second, I set the new sink in caulk before mounting the faucet and attaching the supply tubing. My punishment was an hour of lying on my back in a cramped and dimly lit cabinet, manipulating wrenches in the tiny space behind the sink bowl.

I’ve left out some of the gory details — not having enough countertop left for the sink clips to grip onto, and reversing the hot and cold supply lines — but you get the picture. Nevertheless, the new sink is a big improvement. Most important, my wife is happy.

Avoiding disasters
Though you will face challenges on any DIY job, you can take precautions to avoid disasters (at least major ones). Keep these tips in mind:
1. Before you begin a project, learn everything you can about it. Read how-to articles, search online bulletin boards and watch videos whenever possible. And don’t rely on only one source: The instructions that came with my sink-and-faucet combo were laughable. I guess the manufacturer thinks no one is going to read them anyway.
2. Allow more time than you think you could possibly need. Professionals must work fast or they’ll go out of business, but you’re not a pro — you’ll take longer.
3. Imagine what can go wrong. For example, never leave a bucket of paint or a hammer on top of ladder when you’re no longer using it — that’s asking for trouble.
4. Think ahead and do things in a logical order (not like I did when I applied caulk to my sink too soon).
5. Become a collector of tools and essential supplies, such as duct tape. With every job you complete, you’ll build your arsenal. Having the right tool or product on hand makes a huge difference in your ability to get the job done and solve problems that arise.
6. Two brains are better than one. Whenever possible, have someone nearby to help you figure things out, carry stuff, and hand you items (when you’re crammed into a cabinet, for example).
7. Be willing to try new methods, and learn from your mistakes.
8. Become someone who is good at fixing things. (Many mistakes can be fixed with the right glue or filler.) Make a hobby of reading and watching videos about common repairs to develop your expertise.
9. Most important, keep safety foremost in your mind. Stop working when you get tired. (And never start a plumbing job later than 7 a.m.!)

The potential for disaster may give you pause. And it should. But doing tasks yourself can save you thousands of dollars and make you a resourceful person who doesn’t have to waste time waiting for a tradesmen to fit you into his schedule. The secret to success is to overcome trepidation with knowledge but to understand your limits. As you develop experience, you’ll be able to push those limits without getting in over your head.

What's the worst DIY disaster you've ever experienced? (I know I'm not alone). Post your story in the Comments area (below). --JP